Beer-tapping apparatus.



Patented June 24, |902. P. H. KEEF BEER TAPPI A(App-lisation APP e Oct. 22,

(No Modal.)

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

PATRICK H. KEEFE, OF SHARPSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

BEER-TAPPING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 703,206, dated June 24, 1902.

Application filed October 22, 1901. Serial No. 79,519. (No model.)

T0 Cl/ZZ whom, it may 0071/067172.:

Be it known that I, PATRICK H. KEEFE, a citizen of the United States of America,re siding at Sharpsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have Vinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Beer-Tapping Apparatus, of which the fol` lowing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in beer-tapping apparatus wherein an air-supply is in communication with the cask or barrel containing the beer or like liquid, and has for its object to provide means for furnishing a constant supply of air to the liquid, sothat the latter may be drawn oi through a pipe, which conducts the same to a suitable and convenient point.

A further object of rnyinvention is to coustruct an apparatus of this nature which will be extremely simple in its construction, strong, durable, efficient in its operation, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout both views, in which- Figure l is a transverse vertical sectional view of my improved device, showing a portion of the cask or barrel with the device secured in position therein. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device.

To put my invention into practice, I provide a bushing or sleeve l, having an enlarged upper end, said upper end having its exte-V rior lying in a vertical plane, the lower edge of which is curved inwardly and merges in a tapered lowered end, upon which is mounted a collar or sleeve 2, which is adapted to be composed of rubber or other suitable compressible and resilient material. The liquids which are drawn off under pressure of air are as a rule shipped in casks or barrels, the bung-hole of which is countersunk to receive the drawing-off apparatus connected to the air-supply.

In the accompanying illustration I have therefore shown a part of abarrel 3, the bunghole 4L of which is countersunk, as at 5, and the sleeve 2 is adapted to fit neatly within this countersunk portion, as shown in Fig. l

of the drawings, effectually sealing and preventing the escaping of the air exterior of the drawing-od tube. The enlarged end of the bushing l is provided with an interiorlythreaded annular recess or opening adapted to receive an eXteriorly-threaded nut G, provided with suitable handles 7 for operating the same. The gasket or washer 8 is placed onl the shoulder 9, formed Within the sleeve, and a metallic washer l0 is placed upon the resilient washer 9, so as to receive frictonal contact of the nut 6 and preventinjury to the resilient Washer as the nut is screwed 'down to press the resilient Washer and effect the seal. The drawingoff tube 1l extends through the Vnut 6 and through the bore of the sleeve l, which is of the same diameter throughout its length,'into the barrel or cask 3. This drawing-olf tube leads to a faucet (not shown) located at a suitable point. Outside diameter of this tube ll is less than the diameter of the bore through the sleeve or bushing l, so as to form an annular space l2, surrounding the drawing-off tube, which space is closed at its upper end by the washer 10, which when the nut 6 is tightened is pressed rmly against the exterior of the drawing-off tube l1. The bushing or sleeve l is provided with an u pwardly-inclined tubular projection lefthe inner end of which is formed integral with the enlarged portion of the bushing `or sleeve l. Thevbore of this inclined tubular projectionis of varying diameters, the outer portion of the bore thereof being of the greater diameter and having its inner end terminating at a point within the thicki ened portion of the sleeve 1 and co1nmuni,

eating with a smaller inclined bore located within the said sleeve. The outer end of this projection is threaded both exteriorly and interiorly. A plug I5 is threaded into the outer end of said tubular projection 14, and in order to permitan easy manipulation thereof is preferably provided with ya groove 16, in which a screw-driver or like instrument may be inserted for screwingthe plug intoor unscrewing it from position. This plughas a reduced inner end, upon which is mounted a iiap or other form of valve 17, which readily opens to admit air, but is closed against back pressure of the air. The block 15 is provided throughout its length with a central orifice IOO 18. A rubber or other gasket 19 is placed against the outer end of the tubular projection 14 and a nipple 2O placed upon this gasket, the parts being iirmly secured in position by means of acap-nut 21, interiorly threaded to engage the exterior threads on the tubular projection and having suitable handles 22 projecting therefrom. The nipple 2O is adapted to receive a hose 23, which connects the device with the air-pipe.

In operation it will be observed that the air from the air-tank (not shown) enters through the tube 23, nipple 20, through the orifice 18, orifice 24, and into the annular space 12, surrounding the drawing-off tube, and this space being sealed at the upper end by the Washer 10 the, air is directed downwardly into the barrel or cask, as indicated by the arrows, and can only escape by passage into the drawing-off tube at the lower end thereof.

Heretofore in the construction of many devices of this character it has beenimpossible to use the same in kegs or casks that were located within coolers by reason of the extreme height of the device. With my improved construction it will be observed that the device projects but a short distance from the top of the barrel or cask, Ithus enabling its use in many instances that could not otherwise be had, and in use the drawing-off tube 11 is inserted through the lid or cover of the cooler.

vIn the practice of my invention it Will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a beer-tapping apparatus, the combination with a flexible collar engaging in the bung-hole of a barrel, of a bushing having an enlarged upper end, the lower edge of which is curved inwardly and merges in an inclined lower end, said enlarged end provided with an interiorly-threaded annular recess communicating with the central bore of the bush ing, said central bore being of smaller diameter than the said recess and of the same diameter throughoutits length,aiiexible washer seated in the said recess, and engaging the periphery of a drawing-tube arranged in the bushing-bore, a tightening-nut engaged in the said threaded recess, and an upwardlyinclined tubular projection having an externally and internally screw-threaded outer end, and its inner end formed integral with the enlarged upper end of the said bushing, said tubular projection provided with an inclined bore, communicating with a downwardly-inclined bore in the said enlarged portion, said drawing-oir" tube and said bushing having a space therebetween communicating with the inclined bore of the said tubular projection, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PATRICK H. KEEFE.

Vitnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, E. E. POTTER. 

